Nicolas Pietrangeli has passed away at the age of 92 in Rome, the Italian Tennis Federation announced on Monday.
Before the Open Era, Pietrangeli won back-to-back French Open titles in 1959 and 1960 (at the time, the tournament was known as the French Championships). The Italian also won the French Open men's doubles title in 1959, as well as the French Open mixed doubles title in 1958. During his outstanding career, he won a total of 44 titles and achieved a career-high ranking of No. 3 in the world.
In the Davis Cup, Pietrangeli played a total of 164 matches - which is the record for the most matches played in the competition in his country. Also, he was the captain of Italy when they won their first Davis Cup title in 1976.
In 1886, the former two-time French Open champion entered the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He was also recognized at the Rome Open, where the Centre Court was named after him.
The 92-year-old's death comes just months after his son, Giorgio, died at the age of 59 due to illness.
The ITF's statement on Pietrangeli's death
"Italian tennis mourns its icon. Nicola Pietrangeli, the only Italian tennis player inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, has died at the age of 92," the Italian Tennis Federation wrote in a statement.
The Rome Open, where he won two titles during his career, also released a statement.
"It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to Nicola Pietrangeli, a true legend of Italian tennis and two-time Rome champion (1957, 1961). His legacy will forever live on in the history of our sport, in the memory of our tournament, and in the stadium that proudly bears his name. Ciao, Nicola," the Rome Open wrote on X.
